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An investigative U.S. website says an Ontario HAM Radio operator

CBC NEWS | CANADA

An investigative U.S. website says an Ontario man is the leader of an online community responsible for a rash of malicious pranks in which some victims are convinced to vandalize hotel property and undress in public.

The Smoking Gun(TSG) website said in a report that a 25-year-old Windsor man was the brains behind Pranknet, an "online chat room" whose members make prank phone calls that were broadcast live on the internet.

The Smoking Gun(TSG) also identified William Marquis, a Toronto man, as a prominent accomplice.

During an interview, Marquis, who told TSG that his "conscience is clear," lied about his criminal record and the extent of his involvement with Pranknet. Asked about his relationship with Malik, Marquis said, "There is no relationship," adding that he had no contact with the Pranknet founder. He also denied giving Malik money or paying for Pranknet expenses like Skype accounts.

CBC News tried to contact both Malik and Marquis by visiting their homes. In both cases, no one answered the door.

VA3HBO William Marquis was also busted in 1992 for his role in a $4 million hydroponic pot growing operation. When he appeared in an Oshawa courtroom, "a red-faced VA3HBO Marquis wept" during a bail hearing

Following a notorious
February 26 prank at a KFC in Manchester, New Hampshire,
Marquis called the restaurant and said he was an "investigator" in
a bid to get victims to recount how they were humiliated.

The KFC prank, an
excerpt of which can be listened to here, was
handled by Malik and another Pranknet regular nicknamed "Slayer."
That call was recently removed from Pranknet's YouTube page, which
itself was suspended last week by the online video giant. Here's
how Malik described the February call when he posted it to
YouTube: "Epic KFC Prank Call (greatest ever)...dex successfully
convinces the 3 female employees to undress fully nude OUTSIDE and
URINATE ON EACH OTHER!!! AND MORE!"